I'm really excited about effecting some change in my community now! I can't wait to get started on my project (as soon as I figure out what it will be...) this has been a really positive experience for me personally and I know it has helped and will continue to help me professionally

Because of my involvement in the Project, I was motivated to go to the Crisis Centre where there is a women's literacy group and help to plan a women's wellness conference. It was because of the Project that I was willing to talk about this.

In a short while, it's been spreading. I've been talking to other people about it. Everyone's been doing that. It's having a ripple effect. [Another participant] and I started a writing program for street youth, mostly young mothers. We combined our resources to do this. We couldn't have done it without this Project. Having learned to share with our learners is an amazing asset.

As a result of discussions among agency people, things have started to happen. It has all been exciting. When I saw people thinking and talking together and saw action taking place, it was very gratifying. People are wanting to come together at the table.

Learning about Key Elements of the VALTA Project

As we engaged in conversations with participants and attended workshops, we were oriented to learning about what it is that makes a difference for participants. In other words, what are the important elements of the VALTA Project that contributed to its effectiveness and to the achievement of outcomes? Asked to reflect on this question, participants were very forthcoming in articulating what they experienced as the most meaningful elements of VALTA for supporting a process of learning and change. In naming these important qualities, they have summed up the 'essence' of the Project: